Students today are facing critical issues in higher education that will shape their academic, career and financial trajectories for years to come. Of these, the most pressing is the question of college affordability. Higher education professionals and policymakers have endlessly debated the cost of college, student loan burdens, and financial aid for the better part of five decades as we have shifted from manufacturing to the knowledge economy.
Too few of these debates have included the individuals these policies and definitions most directly impact: students. To get a better understanding of how they think about “college affordability”, we asked some students from Michigan to define the concept in their own words. (To see the associated TICAS Region these students are from, view our interactive map here).
They told us college is unaffordable for everyone, low-income students in particular. These students have gotten the message that education is important and that a higher education is a key pathway to their future success. The idea that they should have to shoulder significant costs and take on risky debt for something that is so important doesn’t make a lot of sense to them. Listening to students talk it is clear that college costs and debt are not supporting federal and state goals to increase educational attainment and a thriving workforce. To fuel the 21st century economy and raise standards of living, we must do more to help students earn a degree.
Samantha Casler, a student from TICAS Region 6, summarizes student’s thoughts on college affordability in 2023. “Not everyone is set up with a savings account that’s ready to be handed over the day they graduate High School. While I was in high school I worked full time in the summer, my parents paid for my car and gas all throughout high school, and I got money from family and friends when I graduated, but I still didn’t have enough in my savings to cover my first semester at a standard university come my freshman year. The simple answer is college isn’t affordable, and neither is going into thousands of dollars in debt just to get an average income job. For the expectation to be that everyone receives a higher education, it should be accessible to everyone, those with a savings account, those who worked 30 hours a week in high school to save, and mainly those who are first generation college students trying to change there families reputation.”
College is Unaffordable for Everyone…
The general consensus among the students we talked to is not surprising to anyone following this issue: college is unaffordable. Nicko Brumfield from Region 7 describes: “College is inaccessible for a lot of people. Tuition is something most people cannot afford without going into debt, which should not be required in order to get closer to financial freedom. Barriers with childcare, time able to spend in school, transportation, and housing to name a few are things people shouldn’t have to worry about in order to get a higher education.”
Here Nicko underlines that college affordability is not just about the rising cost of tuition and books and supplies; the extra costs of going to college – the costs that support student wellness and basic needs – become major barriers to students. When it comes down to paying for classes and survival, students face impossible choices.
Another student from Region 6 explains, “College affordability, to me, means that I can afford to take classes while also paying to live. The answer to this question would be no. Financially, I cannot afford to take classes while also being able to afford to live on my own and provide for myself… Students should not be required to pay for housing on campus for their first and possibly second years of college if there is cheaper housing available to them. This is an added expense that makes college unaffordable for some, myself included.”
These associated costs of going to college are often forgotten in the early stages of college planning and are not covered by state financial aid. This can mean that students may need to take out more loans than they anticipated, seek out private loans, get multiple jobs, or drop out. Dharyuana Pierce from Region 8 shares: “Everyone should have a shot at higher education without worrying about paying off student loans for however many years and how their life will be impacted financially. Personally, I’ve seen the fees add up and become honestly discouraging. Even with filling out a FAFSA, multiple scholarships and a lower tuition rate than most universities, it truly has not been for the faint of heart.”
Felicia Howard from Region 10 underlines that college affordability is critical “Because it can enhance availability and reduce hurdles to completing college, college affordability is a crucial component of a student’s success.”
To students, college should be financially within reach for anyone who wants to go. Evan Burdick from Region 4 states: “To me, college affordability means that it should be inexpensive. College is incredibly expensive, even with scholarships or by finishing your Michigan Transfer Agreement at a nearby community college. A bachelor’s degree should not cost over $48,000 in tuition, books, and fees alone, according to Saginaw Valley State University, Michigan’s cheapest four-year university. The $48,000 over four years is also before room and board, but my point is this: We must find ways to reduce the expenses and burdens of college while also working to lessen and remove barriers that people face across Michigan.” Students acknowledge the college affordability barrier affects everyone, but particularly students who already have the odds stacked against them by being first generation students and low-income students.
And Low-Income Students in Particular.
Several students identified how the rising cost of college – while being a collective issue – particularly puts a postsecondary education out of reach for historically underrepresented students. “College affordability, to me, means being able to fully afford higher education based on your income. Students from low-income families most likely rely substantially on grants and scholarships, and the majority of them must take out student loans because their parents cannot afford to pay for their education out of pocket” defines Felicia Howard (Region 10). Here, Felicia identifies that these students and their families lack available resources to help put them through college, making them more reliant on aid, in particular loans, to cover the cost.
This can make a college education feel like an insurmountable challenge rather than an opportunity, reaffirming cycles of exclusion, poverty, and alienation from education. Margherita Hill from Region 3 explains: “The impacts of college affordability, or lack thereof, are significant. When higher education becomes unaffordable, it limits opportunities for individuals to pursue their desired careers, stifles social mobility, and exacerbates economic disparities. It can deter talented and deserving students from attending college, leading to a loss of diverse perspectives and potential contributions to society. Conversely, affordable college opens doors to personal and professional growth, empowers individuals, and fosters a more equitable society by expanding access to education and opportunity.”
Anahi Amaro (Region 9) adds, “It is essential to recognize that the impacts of college affordability, or the lack thereof, can be significant and far-reaching. Students who are unable to access or afford higher education may be limited in their career choices and earning potential, leading to intergenerational poverty and reduced economic mobility. On the other hand, ensuring college affordability can provide opportunities for individuals and families to break the cycle of poverty, increase their earning potential, and contribute to their communities and society as a whole.”
The consequences of college unaffordability are dire for the economy, the state, and the wellbeing of our communities. In short, we must do more to help students cover the full cost of college.
We Must do More to Help Students Earn a Degree.
Not only do students understand the critical issues they are facing, but they also have ideas on how to address them. First, they believe we should address the way financial aid is distributed to be more fair, equitable, and help families in need.
“There should also be a better way for financial aid to be distributed. There are lots of students who are unable to receive financial aid because their parents make barely above the maximum income. These families are still unable to provide the financial support to their children that is required to pay for school. In addition to this, there are also families that claim their children as dependents but don’t aid their students financially in school, causing them to become ineligible for scholarships because their expected family contribution is too much.” – Anonymous Student from Region 6
Then, the aid should be sufficient to help cover the gaps between what families can afford to contribute to their children’s education and the cost of education itself. Per Margherita Hill (Region 3), “Achieving college affordability involves ensuring that education costs are fair and reasonable, considering the socioeconomic backgrounds and financial capabilities of students and their families. It entails creating financial aid programs, scholarships, and grants that provide sufficient support to make college accessible to students from diverse economic backgrounds. It also requires addressing the rising education costs, including tuition fees, which have outpaced inflation over the years.”
Note that simply raising students’ access to loans and last dollar programs is not sufficient; students need for the real cost of college to be more affordable through a combination of state and federal investments. Dharyauna Pierce (Region 8) and Classie Newbern (Region 7) propose potential areas of investment which students feel will effectively make a college degree affordable.
“With student loans being a large percentage of how people pay for college, the government should be able to cover at least the first two years for any citizen. Several foreign countries have small nominal fees or free college for their citizens. This should be an idea we move towards in the future. A free 2-year associate degree, and/or certificate can help drastically with unemployment and would promote higher education as something obtainable for many people who have thought otherwise. There are currently 18 community colleges offering an opportunity like this but there could be many more.”- Dharyauna Pierce, Region 8
“That’s why I like scholarships because it gives students that are in a single parent home the same opportunity as a two-parent household. That’s why college affordability is important because it gives students a shot to succeed no matter where they come from. I learned not everybody had a perfect life, but the people who want to be the first in their generation to succeed, should have resources like financial aid, TIP, and other grants to help pursue their college journey.” – Classie Newbern, Region 7
Classie here reminds us that the goal is to help students access college as an opportunity, not a barrier to future employment. To do that, we must work to bring down the full cost of college for these students and generations to come.
Student Quotes
“College affordability, to me, means being able to fully afford higher education based on your income. Students from low-income families most likely rely substantially on grants and scholarships, and the majority of them must take out student loans because their parents cannot afford to pay for their education out of pocket. It is true that being from a wealthy family can help you pay for college, but affordability is limited if you lack the necessary funds. Because it can enhance availability and reduce hurdles to completing college, college affordability is a crucial component of a student’s success. Starting at a community college and moving up the educational ladder is, in my opinion, one of the best ways to save a little money.“ – Felicia Howard, Region 10
“College affordability, to me, means that I can afford to take classes while also paying to live. The answer to this question would be no. Financially, I cannot afford to take classes while also being able to afford to live on my own and provide for myself. I believe that students should be allowed to choose where they want to live for all four years of college, whether that be on campus or off campus. Students should not be required to pay for housing on campus for their first and possibly second years of college if there is cheaper housing available to them. This is an added expense that makes college unaffordable for some, myself included. There should also be a better way for financial aid to be distributed. There are lots of students who are unable to receive financial aid because their parents make barely above the maximum income. These families are still unable to provide the financial support to their children that is required to pay for school. In addition to this, there are also families that claim their children as dependents but don’t aid their students financially in school, causing them to become ineligible for scholarships because their expected family contribution is too much.“ – Anonymous, Region 6
“To me ‘college affordability’ means that anyone that puts the work in should be allowed an opportunity to pursue an education. The high price tag on college just upholds the nepotism in this country. Making college more obtainable can alter generations of poverty.“ – Kadijatou Jammeh, Region 9
“To me, ‘college affordability’ encompasses the notion that individuals should access higher education without facing excessive financial burdens. It means that the cost of attending college should be a manageable factor in pursuing a degree or acquiring the skills and knowledge necessary for personal and professional growth. College affordability implies that individuals should be able to reasonably afford the costs associated with attending college, including tuition, fees, textbooks, housing, and other essential expenses. It recognizes that education is a fundamental right and that financial constraints should not impede someone’s ability to pursue their educational aspirations. Achieving college affordability involves ensuring that education costs are fair and reasonable, considering the socioeconomic backgrounds and financial capabilities of students and their families. It entails creating financial aid programs, scholarships, and grants that provide sufficient support to make college accessible to students from diverse economic backgrounds. It also requires addressing the rising education costs, including tuition fees, which have outpaced inflation over the years. Additionally, addressing issues such as income inequality, student loan debt, and the lack of job opportunities for college graduates can also impact college affordability. The impacts of college affordability, or lack thereof, are significant. When higher education becomes unaffordable, it limits opportunities for individuals to pursue their desired careers, stifles social mobility, and exacerbates economic disparities. It can deter talented and deserving students from attending college, leading to a loss of diverse perspectives and potential contributions to society. Conversely, affordable college opens doors to personal and professional growth, empowers individuals, and fosters a more equitable society by expanding access to education and opportunity.” – Magherita Hill, Region 3
“College affordability to me means that everyone who wants to go to college should be able to, no matter the cost. With student loans being a large percentage of how people pay for college, the government should be able to cover at least the first two years for any citizen. Several foreign countries have small nominal fees or free college for their citizens. This should be an idea we move towards in the future. A free 2– years- associate degree, and/or certificate can help drastically with unemployment and would promote higher education as something obtainable for many people who have thought otherwise. There are currently 18 community colleges offering an opportunity like this but there could be many more. Everyone should have a shot at higher education without worrying about paying off student loans for however many years and how their life will be impacted financially. Personally, I’ve seen the fees add up and become honestly discouraging. Even with filling out a FAFSA, multiple scholarships and a lower tuition rate than most universities, it truly has not been for the faint of heart.” – Dharyauna Pierce, Region 8
“College affordability can be an issue for some people who actually want to continue their education. I, however, am a member of a federally recognized tribe, also was a ward of the state growing up, so I do qualify for a lot of grants and financial aid. I would love to help others seeking higher education to know what options are out there for them.” – Crystal Tollefson, Region 1
“College affordability to me is giving individuals the opportunity to access education without fear of not being able to afford it. I remember I told myself if I didn’t figure out a way to receive a scholarship I wasn’t going to college, lucky for me and I did, I got lucky. However, this shouldn’t be based on luck. We should all have actually have the access to success that everyone claims is happening, false.” – Kalani Olatunji, Region 10
“Not everyone is set up with a savings account that’s ready to be handed over the day they graduate High School. While I was in high school I worked full time in the summer, my parents paid for my car and gas all throughout high school, and I got money from family and friends when I graduated, but I still didn’t have enough in my savings to cover my first semester at a standard university come my freshman year. The simple answer is college isn’t affordable, and neither is going into thousands of dollars in debt just to get an average income job. For the expectation to be that everyone receives a higher education, it should be accessible to everyone, those with a savings account, those who worked 30 hours a week in high school to save, and mainly those who are first generation college students trying to change their families reputation.” – Samantha Casler, Region 6
“While I believe that college affordability also includes more affordable student loans, more accessible student aid, and programs to help fill out paperwork like FAFSA – they are beyond my current scope of experience. As a result, college affordability to me means that the cost of education reliably reflects its quality.” – Ayesha Rahim, Region 9
“College affordability to me means to afford education on all, and based on one’s academic merits, there must be a way to harness the individual ability and nurture it institutionally, thus creating the utopia of tomorrow. The idea now that most agree that the college route will lead to mountainous, non-bankrupt able debt. The shortsightedness of roughly $50,000 in student debt as the norm with cost of living and the ways to build real wealth through asset attainment and real credit are secondary. The more educated a populace is, the more important and involved they will be to be a member of their community that contributes; tries to right wrongs and help for tomorrow’s children.” – Shane McClellan, Region 9
“College affordability means you pay for the higher education. Do what u can afford. If u can afford the full experience, go for it, if not just get the knowledge.” – Regina Riggins, Region 10
“What college affordability means to me is being fair to students who want to get a secondary education that lack financial support. That’s why I like scholarships because it gives students that in a single parent home the same opportunity as a two-parent household. That’s why college affordability is important because it gives students a shot to succeed no matter where they come from. I learned not everybody had a perfect life, but the people who want to be the first in their generation to succeed, should have resources like financial aid, TIP, and other grants to help pursue their college journey.” – Classie Newbern, Region 7
“To me, college affordability means that it should be inexpensive. College is incredibly expensive, even with scholarships or by finishing your Michigan Transfer Agreement at a nearby community college. A Bachelor’s Degree should not cost over $48,000 in tuition, books, and fees alone, according to Saginaw Valley State University, Michigan’s cheapest four-year university. The $48,000 over four years is also before room and board, but my point is this: We must find ways to reduce the expenses and burdens of college while also working to lessen and remove barriers that people face across Michigan.” – Evan Burdick, Region 4
“College affordability means to me not having to struggle to find a warm mean while working on a difficult project. It means to be able to gain our degrees without having to stress about minor situations, on top of schooling.” – Tiara Drift, Region 1
“College affordability refers to the ability of students, regardless of their background or financial circumstances, to access and afford higher education. For a first-generation college student, and a daughter of a single mother who happens to be a Mexican Immigrant woman, college affordability means having access to the resources and financial support needed to pursue a college education without facing significant financial barriers. For many students, the cost of tuition, textbooks, housing, and other expenses associated with college can be a significant financial burden. This can create obstacles for students who may not have the means to pay for their education, leading to debt, dropping out, or not pursuing higher education at all. To promote college affordability, policies and programs must address the root causes of financial barriers to higher education. This can include increasing financial aid and scholarship opportunities, reducing the cost of tuition and other college expenses, and addressing systemic inequalities that contribute to financial barriers for marginalized communities. It is essential to recognize that the impacts of college affordability, or the lack thereof, can be significant and far-reaching. Students who are unable to access or afford higher education may be limited in their career choices and earning potential, leading to intergenerational poverty and reduced economic mobility. On the other hand, ensuring college affordability can provide opportunities for individuals and families to break the cycle of poverty, increase their earning potential, and contribute to their communities and society as a whole.” – Anahi Amaro, Region 9
